French gold open faced Souscription pocket watch Circa 1822

Gold cylinder watch 
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A fine and rare French 18 carat gold open faced key wind Souscription pocket watch, circa 1822, crisp gold marks. Fire gilt, typical symmetrical placement of wheels, large central barrel, plain 3-arm balance, bimetallic compensation curb regulator, typical Breguet parachute balance protection system, underslung ruby cylinder, blued steel screws.
White enamel dial with black Arabic Breguet numerals, secret numbered Breguet signature below 12, single blued hand.
Engine-turned case, cartouche to back with small engraved monogram, numbered. Case stamped LJ, dial and movement signed.
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Diameter: 60 mm
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Signed: Breguet
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After Abraham Louis Breguet returned from exile back to Paris in the 1790’s his business was virtually destroyed. He came up with a plan whereby his clients could order a watch paying a down payment and then the balance when the watch was delivered. This founded the business and allowed him to rebuild. These watches were known as ‘Souscription’ watches and the dial of this watch has a secret scratch signature and is numbered. Each of these watches is in some way unique as each was finished by hand with a certain amount of freedom given to the watchmaker.